Lafayette President Backs Clinton Rotberg Joins 240 Other Educators

Lafayette College President Robert Rotberg has joined about 240 other college educators and former educators to support Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton's bid for the presidency.

Rotberg is included in a group of administrators, deans, and trustees who bought an advertisement endorsing Clinton published in the latest edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education, a weekly publication.

"I think that if he is elected the students of the United States," Rotberg said, "the educational institutions of the United States, and the American people will all benefit in ways which are absolutely critical."

He said he believes the Arkansas governor will work on "uniting rather than dividing America." He said Clinton represented fairness, tolerance, and togetherness -- "values to which we'd prefer to expose our students."

Rotberg said he and the other officials are supporting Clinton in a personal capacity. "This has nothing to do with the college as a college," he said.

The advertisement, which Rotberg said was written by the Clinton campaign with the help of some of the educators, said: "We believe that Clinton and (vice presidential candidate Albert) Gore have the experience and insight to forge effective partnerships among educators, labor and business leaders, and Americans from all walks of life, to solve the problems that confront us."

The advertisement -- which was described as an open letter -- also praised Clinton's idea for a National Service Trust Fund, in which students could either pay back their federal loans with two years of community service, or with a percentage of their income.

"Clinton and Gore have also made clear that they understand the unique role that science and technology will play in the decades ahead," the advertisement read.

"By emphasizing the need to rebuild our communication, transportation, environmental, and health care systems, they illustrate that our country will benefit from both academic and industrial research."

Rotberg added that Clinton's educational record as governor of Arkansas is "heartening."

He said Clinton expanded preschool programs for poor children, raised academic standards, and lowered the drop-out rate in his state.

"I believe that global progress and sustainable development for all people are more attainable with Governor Clinton in charge," Rotberg said.

Rotberg said the coalition plans no further actions on Clinton's behalf. The advertisement "was essentially a one-shot thing, but we may do other things after the election" assuming Clinton wins, he said.

Asked what would happen if Clinton does not win, he said, "We'll see about that if it happens."